Cylinder deactivation mechanisms for pushrod valve train systems and rocker arms

Abstract

A valvetrain assembly comprises a deactivatable rocker arm where a pushrod is configured to transfer a valve lift profile through to a valve end to a valve or valve bridge. A castellation assembly in a carrier and alternative two-piece rocker arm assemblies with rotary or linear actuators are shown for deactivating the transfer of the valve lift profile.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rocker arm assembly, comprising:
 a first rocker arm comprising a first carrier opening; 
 a second rocker arm comprising a second carrier opening; 
 a carrier positioned in the first carrier opening and in the second carrier opening, the carrier seating: 
 a first castellation assembly comprising a first gear-toothed crown; 
 a second castellation assembly comprising a second gear-toothed crown; and 
 an actuation gear meshed between the first castellation assembly and the second castellation assembly to simultaneously rotate the first gear-toothed crown and the second gear-toothed crown. 
 
     
     
       2. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first rocker arm comprises a first pivot location in the first carrier opening; 
 the second rocker arm comprising a second pivot location in the second carrier opening; 
 the first castellation assembly comprises a first lower crown comprising a pivot configured press on the first pivot location when the first gear-toothed crown is selectively aligned to transfer force; and 
 the second castellation assembly comprises a second lower crown comprising a pivot configured to press on the second pivot location when the second gear-toothed crown is selectively aligned to transfer force. 
 
     
     
       3. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first castellation assembly further comprises an inner spring configured in the carrier to push the first lower crown away from the first gear-toothed crown. 
     
     
       4. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first gear-toothed crown comprises one of a gear wheel secured to an upper crown body or integrally formed gear teeth on an upper crown body. 
     
     
       5. The rocker arm of  claim 2 , wherein the first lower crown is keyed to the carrier to lock the first lower crown from rotating in the carrier. 
     
     
       6. A rocker arm assembly, comprising:
 a valve side arm comprising a rocker arm plate configured with a latch ledge, a valve end, a pivot location in a carrier opening, a pivot pin bore, and a first spring mount; 
 a deactivating arm comprising a second spring mount, a split portion flanking the latch ledge, a pivot pin pass-through in the split portion, a latch bore, and a latch pin configured to reciprocate in the latch bore; 
 a pivot pin connecting the pivot pin bore and the pivot pin pass-through; and 
 a lost motion spring positioned between the first spring mount and the second spring mount. 
 
     
     
       7. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the pivot pin bore is over the carrier opening. 
     
     
       8. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the pivot pin bore is over the pivot location. 
     
     
       9. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a first spring guide configured to telescope in a second spring guide when the lost motion spring is compressed. 
     
     
       10. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the latch bore comprises a spring cup, and wherein a latch spring is seated in the spring cup to bias the latch pin out of the latch bore. 
     
     
       11. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a linear actuator assembly configured to selectively press the latch pin into engagement with the latch ledge. 
     
     
       12. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a linear actuator assembly configured to switch between an engaged state and a disengaged state, wherein the linear actuator assembly is configured to press the latch pin into engagement with the latch ledge in the engaged state, and wherein the linear actuator assembly is configured to release the latch pin from engagement with the latch ledge in the disengaged state. 
     
     
       13. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a rotary actuator assembly configured to selectively press the latch pin into engagement with the latch ledge. 
     
     
       14. The rocker arm assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a rotary actuator assembly configured to switch between an engaged state and a disengaged state, wherein the rotary actuator assembly is configured to press the latch pin into engagement with the latch ledge in the engaged state, and wherein the rotary actuator assembly is configured to release the latch pin from engagement with the latch ledge in the disengaged state. 
     
     
       15. A valvetrain assembly comprising the rocker arm assembly of  claim 6 , the valvetrain assembly comprising a pushrod configured to push the deactivating arm and transfer a valve lift profile through the valve side arm to a valve or valve bridge, wherein, when the latch pin is engaged with the latch ledge at the start of the valve lift profile transfer, the pushrod pushes the deactivating arm so that the latch pin cannot retract from the engagement with the latch ledge, but when the latch pin is released from the latch ledge, the pushrod moves without transferring the valve lift profile to the valve side arm.